Corona Virus Resource Page

Dear Neighborhood Association Leaders:

During this challenging time, we wanted to
make sure to share the many resources that are available to assist our
neighbors who will be facing challenges as we work to contain the spread
of COVID-19. We would appreciate you sharing
this information with your boards and in other communications venues
that feel appropriate.

State Resources

This document is a
helpful overview of the state resources available to cope with
COVID-19, including the state emergency hotlines and information on
child care, food access, housing, and more:
COVID-19 State Resource Document (with thanks to Rep. Jamie Long for compiling
this).

MNSure Special Enrollment

On Friday, Governor Walz announced there will be a 30-day special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. This SEP, which begins Monday, March 23 and runs through
April 21, will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure.org.

Individuals seeking coverage can visit MNsure.org to
complete an application and enroll in coverage.Plans selected by April 21 will have a retroactive coverage start date beginning April 1.

Resources for Businesses

A helpful site is the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development’s COVID-19 information and resources for businesses COVID-19
update page.

Also, Minnesota small
businesses can now apply to the Small Business Administration for loans
if they are facing losses from COVID-19.

Businesses forced to shut down by executive
order that have a monthly sales tax payment due March 20, 2020 will
have until April 20 to make that payment. Returns themselves (without
payment) should still be filed, however, to avoid
penalties or interest. Find out more at the Minnesota
Department of Revenue website.

Reducing workers hours instead of layoffs

As an alternative to layoffs, employers can
reduce employee hours and apply for the Unemployment Insurance Shared
Work Program to partially offset their pay with unemployment insurance.
Those workers can then receive a percentage
of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and
wages reduced. See the Shared
Work Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.

Utility Updates

Minneapolis water shut offs, as well as
electricity shut off by Xcel Energy and natural gas shut offs by
CenterPoint Energy have been suspended.